Tuesday, 23 June 2009

Ants in my kitchen !

I hate finding ants in my kitchen ... in the last four years, during the summer months, they appear as soon as the days become warmer to then disappear again once the temperatures drop.Even this summer they have been punctual although I've only seen three or four up till now. As I said I hate having them around, I have always been very careful to keep the kitchen surfaces and the floor clean from crumbs and tiny bits of food hoping to keep them away but one tiny crumb escaped my attention yesterday and what happened later definitely changed my opinion towards these tiny insects.My daughter and I were watching the telly when I noticed a tiny spot on the floor... it seemed a bread crumb moving across the floor tile., taking a closer look I saw an ant laboriously struggling with a breadcrumb that was nearly as big as the ant itself.The suffered movements and skillful manoeuvres that this tiny creature made to carry that breadcrumb were worthy of a special award ... in fact my daughter exclaimed to me saying "Mum , I hope you're not thinking of killing it after all the effort, are you?"I really felt guilty for all the other tiny ants I had killed in the past without even giving a thought.How could I have been such a.... murderer???So we watched as it continued its journey pulling and pushing its precious burden till it disappeared under the refrigerator.This morning I couldn't help looking up some information regarding ants and I found a totally new world I had always ignored... a fascinating world which I hope to respect in future ... I found out ants always work together for the benefit of the colony rather than for individual gain... very much like bees.I think I will learn to tolerate them from now on... well as long as they roam around on the floor and keep away from my pantry.All this ... thanks to a tiny ant and its precious breadcrumb.

Ants are amazing! There are so many bugs we kill with out a second thought to realize their importance. But, I guess I am still a bug killer beacuase I can't stand them! I have a swarm of fruit flies in my kitchen sink that will not leave!

Your posting made me smile Sis...I too admire them, have killed many in fear that they would take over my kitchen but many times have let them be...after all I know they are 'clean' insects : )Amber here is a link you may find helpful...http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000317.tip.html